McFarland USA, from director Niki Caro (Whale Rider, North Country), is far better than I ever expected from a Disney film. What looks from the trailer like another inspirational sports film, this time centered on cross country, is far from it. McFarland USA is about just what the title says it is: an unheard of […]
I’m not much of a fan of vampires, but I really chuckled during What We Do in the Shadows, a mockumentary about four vampires who are flat mates in Wellington, New Zealand. I was a fan of HBO’s Flight of the Conchords for a two years, with Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie. Now, Clement and
cThe 2014 Oscar race was in need of a frontrunner for best actress, and following the first screening of Still Alice at the Toronto Film Festival, they found it in long overdue Academy Award nominee Julianne Moore (The Hours, Far From Heaven). Originally it seemed Moore’s supporting performance in Map of the Stars would land
Writer/director Mike Binder (The Upside of Anger, Reign Over Me) has good intentions with his latest film Black or White. While it’s not exactly what you think it’s about, even the lead character, played by the 2015 comeback kid Kevin Costner, constantly explains why it’s not a color issue. Black or White has its sights
In many ways, Black Sea, the new film from director Kevin Macdonald (How I Live Now, The King of Scotland), follows the rules of technical and cinematic submarine film. However, “Black Se”a is also a modern day heist film that redefines the depths of a thriller. Academy Award nominee Jude Law (Cold Mountain, The Talented
Cannes award winner for best actor Timothy Spall (Harry Potter) is truly deserving of an Oscar nomination for his embedded performance in the biopic of William Turner. From the moment the film opens, the cinematography pulls you into what visually could be a moving painting. Dick Pope always works on director Mike Leigh’s films, but
Paddington is an encouraging departure from the regular stupidity seen in family films. Based on the best-selling children’s book and filled with positive, reinforced family values, this star studded 90 minute adventure is fun for young eyes and grown up minds. Visually exciting, not only is the live action capture of the Paddington bear as
Spare Parts may look slightly like an after-school special, mostly due to the inexperience of the writers, based on an incredible true Wired magazine article. H
Director Ava DuVernay (Middle of Nowhere) will very likely make history in 2015 as the first African American female to be nominated for best director in the Academy Awards history. DuVernay will only be the 5th woman ever nominated in that category. It’s probably an insignificant trivia fact for some, but it’s one more example
International director Olivier Assayas (Paris, je t’aime) has written and directed a fascinating narrative portrait of an international film and theatre actress struggling with age and relevancy in the fast-paced evolving world. When I first saw the cast list, it appeared very strange to me; however, there is brilliance in this casting, and both Binoche